Texas governor signs border legislation setting up flotation barriers along Rio Grande

AUSTIN, Texas (KVIA) -- On Thursday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed what his office describes as critical border security legislation.

This comes after Abbott signed at least five other bills aimed at strengthening border security since the start of the latest legislative session. That session is now at a close, so this is expected to be one of the final bills signed by Abbott for awhile.

This new law empowers the state to set up floating barriers along the Rio Grande. Officials say this will prevent large groups of migrants from entering the U.S. by crossing the river. That will also allow law enforcement agents to better control parts of the border. Officials will also deploy razer wire, soldiers, and troopers to the border.

Governor Abbott explained to reporters at a news conference Thursday that these resources will be sent out strategically, targeting areas deemed easily crossable. Not every part of the river will receive the new floating barriers.